Solar energy collecting systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An energy collecting module for assembling, together with a plurality of similar energy collecting module, a modular energy collecting system. The energy collecting module comprises a fluid channel having a lumen for conducting fluid from a first connectable opening to a second connectable opening and an energy collecting element mounted in front of the fluid channel for concentrating radiation along the fluid channel.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/332,840, filed on May 10, 2010. The contents of allof the above documents are incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to systemsand methods of utilizing solar energy and, more particularly, but notexclusively, to systems and methods of utilizing solar energy forheating and/or steaming fluids.

Solar energy can provide an environmentally friendly source of energythat does not rely on fuels and that contributes relatively less toglobal warming and to related environmental problems than do fuel-basedenergy sources. In addition, in many cases solar energy can be capturedand used locally and thus reduce requirements for transportation orimportation of fuels such as petroleum.

Solar energy may be captured, for example, by a collector that absorbssolar radiation and converts it to heat, which may then be used in avariety of applications. Alternatively, solar radiation may be capturedby a collector which absorbs solar radiation and converts a portion ofit directly to electricity by photovoltaic methods, for example. Minorsor lenses may be used to collect and concentrate solar radiation to beconverted to heat or electricity by such methods.

Solar energy collectors have been designed and manufactured to numerousspecifications. Many areas require an economical source of energy forprocess heat or electricity generation and air conditioning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided an energy collecting unit for assembling, together with aplurality of similar energy collecting units, an energy collectingsystem or module. The energy collecting unit comprises a fluid channelhaving a lumen for conducting working fluid from a first connectableopening to a second connectable opening and an energy collecting elementmounted in front of the fluid channel for concentrating radiation ontothe fluid channel.

Optionally, the energy collecting unit further comprises an airevacuated chamber having a low atmospheric pressure between the energycollecting element and the fluid channel.

More optionally, the walls of the air evacuated chamber are at leastpartly covered with mirrors to concentrate the radiation onto the fluidchannel.

Optionally, the energy collecting unit further comprises a chamberhaving a gas with low heat transfer properties between the energycollecting element and the fluid channel.

More optionally, the walls of the chamber are at least partly coveredwith mirrors to concentrate the radiation onto the fluid channel.

Optionally, the fluid channel is made of a substantially transparentmaterial.

More optionally, the substantially transparent material is selected froma group consisting of: glass, Borosilicate glass, quartz glass, fusedsilica, and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Optionally, the energy collecting unit does not include moving parts.

Optionally, the energy collecting element comprises a member from agroup consisting of: a Fresnel lens, a lenticular array, and an array oflenses.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided an energy collecting module that comprises a heat exchangerhaving first and second openings for streaming target fluid, a fluidchannel configured for circulating working fluid via the heat exchanger,and at least one energy collecting element mounted in front of the fluidchannel for concentrating radiation onto the fluid channel during thecirculating.

Optionally, the at least one energy collecting element comprises aplurality of energy collecting elements; wherein the energy collectingmodule is comprised of a plurality of detachable units each having asegment of the fluid channel and one of the energy collecting elementsassembled to concentrate radiation onto the segment.

Optionally, the energy collecting module is configured for assembling,together with a plurality of similar energy collecting module, a modularenergy collecting system.

Optionally, the energy collecting module further comprises at least oneair evacuated chamber having a low atmospheric pressure between the atleast one energy collecting element and the fluid channel.

Optionally, the energy collecting module further comprises at least onechamber having a gas with low heat transfer properties between the atleast one energy collecting element and the fluid channel.

Optionally, the fluid channel is made of a substantially transparentmaterial.

More optionally, the substantially transparent material is selected froma group consisting of: glass, Borosilicate glass, quartz glass, fusedsilica, and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Optionally, the energy collecting module does not include moving parts.

Optionally, the energy collecting module further comprises a supportingstructure for supporting the fluid channel and the energy collectingelement in a substantially cubical shape structure.

Optionally, the at least one energy collecting element comprises amember from a group consisting of: a Fresnel lens, a lenticular array,and an array of lenses.

Optionally, the at least one energy collecting element comprises atleast one lens and at least one minor mounted to direct the radiationtoward the at least one lens.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided a method of installing an energy collecting modular system. Themethod comprises providing a plurality of seperable energy collectingmodules each having a fluid channel having a lumen for conductingworking fluid via a heat exchanger and an energy collecting element forconcentrating radiation onto the fluid channel, spreading the pluralityof energy collecting modules to cover an energy collecting area,assembling a heating conduit in the energy collecting area by tubularlyconnecting the heat exchangers of the plurality of energy collectingmodules, and connecting a pump to one end of the heating conduit so asto stream fluids via the heating conduit toward an energy consumptionunit at another end of the heating conduit.

Optionally, the method further comprises adjusting the operation of thepump to the number of the plurality of energy collecting modules.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided an energy collecting modular system that comprises a pluralityof separable energy collecting modules each having a closed loop fluidchannel and a heat exchanger which is set to be connected physically toanother heat exchanger of another of the plurality of separable energycollecting modules so as to form a heating conduit having an inlet andan outlet for conducting fluid, each energy collecting module has atleast one energy collecting element mounted to concentrate radiationonto a segment of the heating conduit, a pump, which is connectedtubularly to the inlet for conducting a target fluid along the heatingconduit via the outlet toward an energy consumption unit, and acontroller which controls the pump.

Optionally, each heat exchanger heats the target fluid so as to steamthe target fluid before the streaming thereof via the outlet.

Optionally, the outlet is connected to the energy consumption unit via aheating system that further heats the target fluid before the streamingthereof to the energy consumption unit.

Optionally, each energy collecting module is encased in a plate shapestructure, the plurality of separable energy collecting modules beingarranged to substantially cover a roof or a wall.

Optionally, the energy consumption unit is selected from a groupconsisting of a steam turbine, a steam engine, and a steam accumulator.

Optionally, the energy collecting modular system further comprises atleast one sensor for measuring at least one of the pressure and thetemperature of the target fluid; the controller operates the pumpaccording to the measuring.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided an energy collecting modular system that comprises a pluralityof separable energy collecting modules which are set to be connectedphysically to one another so as to form a heating conduit having aninlet and an outlet for conducting target fluid, each separable energycollecting module having at least one energy collecting element mountedto concentrate radiation onto a segment of the heating conduit and apump, which is connected tubularly to the inlet for conducting thetarget fluid via the outlet.

Optionally, the system further comprises a controller which controls thepump.

Optionally, the outlet is connected to a reservoir; the radiationperforms at least one of the following actions: purifying the targetfluid, causing a chemical reaction to the target fluid, enhancing abiological process in the target fluid, and suppressing a biologicalprocess in the target fluid.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided an energy collecting modular system that comprises a pluralityof separable energy collecting modules which are set to be connectedphysically to one another so as to form a fluid channel having an inletand an outlet for conducting working fluid, each energy collectingmodule having an energy collecting element mounted to concentrateradiation onto a segment of the fluid channel, a pump, which isconnected tubularly to the inlet for recycling the working fluid via thefluid channel and via a heat exchanger, and a controller which controlsthe pump.

Optionally, the energy collecting modular system further comprises asteam tank or a mixing valve for facilitating the feeding of an energyconsumption unit with a mixture of a target fluid stream heated by theheat exchanger and an additional fluid stream from an independentheating system.

Optionally, the heat exchanger heats a target fluid stream that isconducted for heating an absorption refrigerator.

Optionally, the heat exchanger heats a target fluid stream that issteamed to actuate a turbine.

Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of theinvention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually,automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actualinstrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or systemof the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented byhardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof usingan operating system.

For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according toembodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or acircuit. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of theinvention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructionsbeing executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In anexemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according toexemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein areperformed by a data processor, such as a computing platform forexecuting a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processorincludes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or anon-volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removablemedia, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a networkconnection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input devicesuch as a keyboard or mouse are optionally provided as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specificreference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that theparticulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrativediscussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, thedescription taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled inthe art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are lateral and top schematic illustration of an energycollecting module having a closed loop fluid circulation channel,according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of three exemplary arrays of energycollecting modules, such as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, which areconnected using tubing elements, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A is a sectional schematic illustration of an energy collectingunit having an exemplary chamber that has a shape of an inverted andtruncated pyramid, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4B is a lateral schematic illustration of an energy collecting unithaving a fluid channel segment, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4C is a lateral schematic illustration of an energy collecting unithaving a fluid channel segment with a helical section that functions asa heat exchanger, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4D is a lateral schematic illustration of a plurality of energycollecting units, such as depicted in FIG. 4B, which are connected inseries, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energycollecting modules of an energy collecting system wherein energycollecting modules construct an open loop according to some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energycollecting modules of an energy collecting system having a closed loopfluid channel that flows working fluid via an external heat exchanger,according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energycollecting modules of an energy collecting system that is set to heat orsteam fluid that passes via an external heat exchanger in conjunctionwith a steam boiler that is powered by conventional fuel or electricity,in a steam generating system. According to some embodiments of thepresent invention

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energycollecting modules of an energy collecting system that is set to poweran absorption refrigerator in conjunction with a conventional chiller ina cooling system, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a modular array of energycollecting modules of an energy collecting system that is set to preheatfluid that is used by a fluid heating and/or steaming unit, according tosome embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an array of energy collectingmodules of an energy collecting system that is set as a heating sourcefor heating a working fluid of a turbine for an electricity generatingsystem, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for installing an energy collectingmodular system by connecting a plurality of energy collecting modules,such as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to systemsand methods of utilizing solar energy and, more particularly, but notexclusively, to systems and methods of utilizing solar energy forheating and/or steaming fluids.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided an energy collecting unit for assembling, together with aplurality of similar energy collecting unit, an energy collecting systemor module. The energy collecting unit includes a fluid channel, alsoreferred to as a fluid channel segment, having a lumen for conductingworking fluid from one connectable opening to another and an energycollecting element mounted in front of the fluid channel, for exampleabove, for concentrating radiation onto the fluid channel.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided an energy collecting module for assembling, together with aplurality of similar energy collecting modules, a modular energycollecting system that may be installed in different energy collectingareas with different dimensions or connected to heat fluid for variousenergy consumption units. The energy collecting module optionally doesnot include any moving and/or active parts and therefore not expensiveto manufacture and/or maintain. Each one of the energy collectingmodules has one or more energy collecting elements which are placed toheat working fluid in a fluid channel, optionally transparent, forexample made of glass, which is connected to an internal heat exchanger.Each energy collecting element is optionally a Fresnel lens or alenticular array. Optionally, the fluid channel and the energycollecting element(s) are mounted in a supporting structure, optionallycubical or substantially cubical. Optionally, a small pump is installedto circulate the working fluid in the fluid channel. Alternatively, theworking fluid flows by thermosiphon effect in the fluid channel.Optionally, the atmospheric pressure in the intermediate space betweenthe fluid channel and the energy collecting element(s) is decreased soas to reduce heat loss by convection.

The energy collecting modules may be used to assemble open and/or closedloop modular energy collecting systems that utilizes solar energy topreheat fluid, to heat fluid, to steam fluid for an industrial process,to actuate a turbine, to heat fluid to feed an absorption chiller, toenhance a chemical reaction, to enhance or suppress biological processesand/or the like.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there isprovided a method for installing an energy collecting modular systemusing energy collecting modules as outlined above and described below.The method is based on a number of seperable energy collecting moduleswhich are provided according to the topography and/or dimensions of theenergy collecting area. The energy collecting modules are spread tocover the energy collecting area, the heat exchangers of thereof aretubularly connected to one another to assemble a heating conduit in saidenergy collecting area. Now, a pump is connected to at least one end ofthe heating conduit so as to stream or to recycle fluids therethrough.Using such energy collecting modules reduces maintenance fees as eachone of them can be replaced separately without disassembling the others.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents and/or methods set forth in the following description and/orillustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention iscapable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out invarious ways.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplarymethods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, thepatent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition,the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are notintended to be necessarily limiting.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are lateral and topschematic illustrations of an energy collecting module 100 for heatingfluid, for example of an energy collecting system, optionally modular,that allows setting fluid conducting tubular bodies in various lengthsso as to cover energy collecting areas having different dimensions,according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The energy collecting module 100 includes a fluid channel 101 having alumen for circulating or streaming working fluid, such as water or oil.The fluid channel 101 is optionally connected to an internal heatexchanger 111 having first and second connectable openings 102, 103connected by internal channels 157. Each one of the connectable openings102, 103 is optionally adapted to be connected, optionally detachably,to a heat exchanger of another energy collecting module, for example asdescribed below.

One of the connectable openings 102, 103 may be directly connected to apump while the other may be connected to an energy consumption unit 203,for example as described below. A pair of energy collecting modules 100may be connected by using a tubing connector and/or attaching male andfemale tubing connectors, each located on a different connectableopening 102, 103. In such a manner, arrays of energy collecting modules100, with connected heat exchangers, may be formed, for example as shownat FIG. 3 where three connected energy collecting modules 100 areconnected using tubing elements 149. The fluid channel 101 optionallyincludes one or more elongated and connected tubular elements, such aspipes, for example made of glass, such as Borosilicate glass or quartzglass, fused silica, and/or Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The fluidchannel 101 is optionally made of metal pipes. It should be noted thatconstructing a modular energy collecting system from energy collectingmodules 100 facilitates the maintenance procedure as a defective and/orchecked energy collecting module 100 may easily replaced by anotherwithout disassembling other collecting units 100 and/or common parts,such as pumps and fluid conductors, for example tubing parts.

For clarity, fluid channel segment 151 may be part of the fluid channel101, optionally integral.

Optionally, the bottom and/or at least a portion of the side walls ofthe fluid channel segment 151 is colored with a dark color or covered bya dark color material so as to increase the radiation absorbance.Optionally, the fluid channel segment 151 contains one or more solidbodies that absorb solar radiation and heat up, and then transform theheat to the fluid in the channel that flows by, around, through, or ontop of the solid bodies. Optionally the solid bodies are coated by acoating that enhances radiation absorbance. Optionally the coating maybe adapted to reduce heat loss by radiation.

Optionally the working fluid in fluid channel 101 and fluid channelsegments 151 is colored and/or contains particles to enhance absorptionof radiation. Optionally the particles are coated by a coating thatenhances absorption.

The energy collecting module 100 further includes one or more energycollecting elements 104, such as a set of one or more lenses, forexample linear Fresnel lenses, one or more lenticular arrays, and/or oneor more arrays of lenses. The energy collecting elements 104 are mountedin front of different segments of the fluid channel segment 151. Whenthe energy collecting module 100 is installed in an energy collectingarea, sunlight radiation is concentrated along the fluid channel 101.Optionally, the energy collecting elements 104 includes only lenses.Optionally, the energy collecting element 104 further includes mirrorswhich set to direct radiation toward a concentrating lens or towards thefluid channel 101. Optionally, the energy collecting module 100comprises a sun tracker unit with one or more actuators that allowstilting the energy collecting module 100 according to the location ofthe sun. Optionally, one or more actuators drive more than one module.

Optionally, fluid channel segments 151 and fluid channels 101 arecovered, in whole or in parts, by insulating material 159 that mayreduce heat loss and/or provide structural support.

Optionally, a small pump is installed to circulate the working fluid inthe fluid channel. Alternatively, the working fluid flows bythermosiphon effect in the fluid channel.

Optionally, the energy collecting element 104 and the fluid channel 101are mounted in a support structure 106 made of a number of cantilevers,such as metal cantilevers and/or molded by foam. Such a supportstructure may also provide insulation. Optionally, the support structureseals intermediate space 107, referred to herein as a chamber, betweenthe energy collecting element 104 and the fluid channel 101. In such anembodiment, atmospheric pressure in the intermediate space 107 may bereduced, for example by evacuating air from the chamber 107.Alternatively, the chamber 107 is filled with a gas with low heattransfer properties, such as xenon. Optionally, each energy collectingelement 104 is placed on top of a chamber 107. Optionally, the chamberhas a shape of an inverted and truncated pyramid, such as a four sidedpyramid (for example as depicted in FIG. 4A). In this embodiment, thefluid channel 101 is placed under the upper portion of the chamber thatoptionally has a cross section with an inverted trapezoid shape. Thereduction of atmospheric pressure in this chamber or filling it with agas with low heat transfer properties, and optionally around the fluidchannel 101 as a whole contributes to thermal isolation of the fluidthat is conducted via the fluid channel 101 and/or to the radiationabsorbance capacity of the fluid channel 101. Optionally, the side wallsof chamber 107 have reflective properties, such as a mirror. This allowsfor directing the light that passes through collecting element 104towards fluid channel 101 in a desired fashion, such as to increase theintensity of radiation that reaches the fluid channel. Optionally, thesupport structure 106 has a cubical form that houses the energycollecting element 104, the fluid channel 101, and the chamber 107. Thisallows building and/or covering a wall using energy collecting modules100. Optionally, the support structure has a plate form that houses theenergy collecting element 104, the fluid channel 101, and chamber 107.This allows building and/or covering a roof using energy collectingmodules 100.

Optionally, no active elements, such as pumps or valves, are physicallyconnected to the energy collecting module 100. Optionally, coolant pipesare not used. In such a manner, the manufacturing and/or maintenancecost of the energy collecting module 100 may be reduced.

The energy collecting modules 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 are designed tocirculate working fluid, which is heated by the energy collectingelements 104, in a closed loop circulation fluid channel 101. Examplesof using such energy collecting modules 100 is provided in FIGS. 6-10and described below.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the energycollecting module 100 is comprised of a plurality of connectable energycollecting units 150. For example, as depicted in FIG. 4B, eachconnectable energy collecting unit 150 includes a fluid channel 101 andfluid channel segment 151 (optionally transparent) having a lumen forconducting the working fluid from one connectable opening 152 to another153 and one of the energy collecting elements 104 mounted in front ofthe fluid channel segment 151 for concentrating radiation onto the fluidchannel segment 151. Optionally, the chamber 107 is also part of theenergy collecting unit 150. In such an embodiment, an energy collectingmodule 100 may be comprised of any number of energy collecting units150. The energy collecting units 150 may be connected in parallel or inseries to one another for example as depicted in FIG. 1. Optionally, thediameter of the lumen of the section of the fluid channel segment 151that is placed below the energy collecting element 104 is wider than thegeneral lumen of the energy collecting element 104 so as to increase thesurface area that absorbs the radiation. Optionally, this sectioncovered with heat absorbing material. Optionally, the section of thefluid channel segment 151 that is placed below the energy collectingelement 104 includes a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger optionallyfunctions as heat exchanger 111 and includes a tube for conductingtarget fluid in the fluid channel segment 151, for example as shown at157 of FIG. 4C. In FIG. 4B, the fluid in the fluid channel segment 151,referred to herein as a working fluid, heats up the target fluid thatflows in the tube 157, optionally helical. The energy collecting unit150 is designed to assemble, together with a plurality of similar energycollecting units 150, a modular energy collecting module, for example asdepicted in FIG. 1. As described above, the fluid channel segment 151has a lumen for conducting working fluid from a first connectableopening 152 to a second connectable opening 153. Optionally, a chamber,such as the chamber 107 described above, is formed between the fluidchannel segment 151 and the energy collecting element 104. As depicted,the chamber 107 may be shaped as an inverted and truncated cone. Itshould be noted that the chamber 107 may also have any other shape.Optionally, the energy collecting element 107 further includes minorswhich set to direct radiation toward a concentrating lens or towards thefluid channel segment 151.

It should further be noted that the connectable energy collecting units150 may be used to comprise a modular energy collecting system withoutthe modules 100. In such an embodiment, any number of connectable energycollecting units 150 may be connected, in parallel or in series to forma heating conduit that heats up a target fluid, for example as depictedin FIG. 4D.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a schematic illustration of anarray of energy collecting modules 100 which form a modular energycollecting system 200 having an open loop heating conduit 160 with aninlet and an outlet between a pump 202 and an energy consumption unit203, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The inletis connected to the pump 202 and the outlet is connected to an energyconsumption unit 203, such as a steam turbine, a steam engine, and/or asteam accumulator in the other end.

The internal heat exchangers 111 of the energy collecting modules 100heat and/or steam the target fluid that is pumped by the pump 202 or byanother pressure differential such as gravity. When steaming isperformed, the internal heat exchangers 111 of each one of the pluralityof energy collecting modules 100 heats up the fluid in a certain segmentof the open loop heating conduit 160 so that along the streamtemperature increases and steam may be formed and delivered to theenergy consumption unit 203.

Optionally, the internal heat exchangers 111 of the energy collectingmodules 100 are connected in series to one another, using adaptors,bidirectional tubing connectors, and/or by designated connectors at thetip of the openings of the respective internal heat exchanger 111. Thenumber of energy collecting modules 100, which are connected to oneanother, may be selected according to the radiation level at the energycollecting area of an energy collecting system so that the fluid issteamed before reaching the energy consumption unit 203. When heating isperformed, the energy consumption unit 203 includes a hot fluidconsumption unit 203, such as a hot water or hot oil reservoir.

Optionally, a valve 205 is used to adjust the stream of steam that isdelivered to the energy consumption unit 203. The valve 205 may becontrolled, manually and/or automatically by a controller 206, such as amicrocontroller and/or a computing unit, so as to deliver steam at acertain pressure or temperature and/or a range of pressures and/ortemperatures. Optionally, a pressure sensor and/or a temperature sensor207 are placed in proximity to the valve 205 and measure the pressureand/or the temperature of the fluid and forward the measurements to thecontroller 206. The controller 206 may control the flow rate through theopen loop heating conduit 160, so as to achieve required pressure and/ortemperature, by controlling the pump 202 and/or a valve 208. Optionally,the controller 206, valves 205, 208, and pump 202 are adapted to beused, generically, with different numbers of energy collecting modules100. Optionally, the controller 206 adjusts the operation of the pump202 and/or the valves 205, 208 according to the number of energycollecting modules 100 which are connected to form an open loop heatingconduit as described above. The number of energy collecting modules 100may be provided to the controller 206 manually, for example using a manmachine interface (MMI), such as a keypad and/or automatically forexample by a reader that detects the number of energy collecting modules100 which are in a certain proximity thereto. For automaticidentification, smart tags may be used, for example radio frequencyidentification (RFID) or Bluetooth™ tags.

In such a manner, the fluid supply and pressure may be adapted accordingto the actual length of the heating conduit and/or automaticallyadjusted when the number of energy collecting modules 100 is changed.

A similar configuration (such as 200) may be used for the purificationof the fluid by heat, light, and/or radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV)radiation. Here, at the outlet, the energy consumption unit 203 includesa fluid receptacle or conductor.

A similar configuration (such as 200) may be used for promoting chemicalreactions and/or organic reaction(s), such as encouraging bacteriaand/or algae growth in the fluid by heat, light, and/or radiation, suchas ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here, at the outlet, a fluid receptacleor conductor is placed instead of the energy consumption unit 203.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a schematic illustration of anarray of energy collecting modules 100 of an energy collecting system300 forming a closed loop fluid channel 220, according to someembodiments of the present invention. The controller 206, the pump 202,the valve 208, the sensor(s) 207 and the energy collecting modules 100which heat up fluid passing via the heat exchangers are as depicted inFIG. 5 and/or FIGS. 1-3, however in FIG. 6 target fluid is iterativelyrecycled via an external heat exchanger 121. This allows using the heatexchanger 121 to heat target fluids which are streamed in an additionalcycle toward the energy consumption unit 203. The processed targetfluids are originated from a different source 306 streamed in theadditional cycle, boiled and turns to steam that is used by the energyconsumption unit 203.

Optionally, the energy collecting system 300 includes a supportstructure to which the connected heat exchangers of the plurality ofenergy collecting modules 100 are connected. The support structure isoptionally planner, for example polygonal, pyramidal, and/or graded. Forexample, the energy collecting modules 100 are mounted in a plannermanner on a support structure. In such an embodiment, heat exchangers111 of a plurality of energy collecting modules 300 may be arranged toheat fluid of a steam or a hot water or thermal oil consuming unit. Forbrevity, oil, water, and fluid may be used interchangeably. Theplurality of energy collecting modules 100 may be monitored and/orcontrolled by a central control unit.

Optionally, sensors 302, which are similar to sensors 207, are placed tomonitor the fluids which are streamed toward the energy consumption unit203 and monitored by the controller 206. The controller 206 controls theprocess by monitoring pressures and temperatures after the energycollecting modules 100 and adjusts the operation of the pump 202 and/orthe valve 208. Optionally, the controller 206 adjusts the operation ofthe pump 306 that streams the flowing in the additional cycle toward theenergy consumption unit 203.

The controller 206 may also monitor the pressure and temperature of thesteam or fluid that is provided to the energy consumption unit 203 usinga respective sensor 302.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the externalheat exchanger 121 is used to heat target fluids or to generate steaminterchangeably or simultaneously with a steam generating system 399,such as a conventional steam generating system. For example, referenceis now made to FIG. 7, which is a schematic illustration of an array ofenergy collecting modules 100 of an energy collecting system 400 that isset to heat or steam fluid that passes via the external heat exchanger121 that conducts target fluid of a steam generating system, accordingto some embodiments of the present invention. The controller 206, thepump 202, the valve 208, the sensor(s) 207 and energy collecting modules100 which heat up fluid passing via their heat exchangers are asdepicted in FIG. 6 and/or FIGS. 1-3, however in the system depicted inFIG. 7 steam and/or target fluid is passing via the heat exchanger 121and streamed, optionally via a one way valve 505, in a heating cyclewhich cycles steam toward a common steam tank or a mixing valve 502.Interchangeably or simultaneously, the steam generating system 399generates hot water or steam by using fuel or electricity. The hot wateror steam is directed to the common steam tank or mixing valve 502. Insuch a manner, steam or hot water for the energy consumption unit 203 isavailable even when the radiation levels are too low to generate steamor hot fluid in a required pressure and/or temperature. The steampressure at the outlet from the external heat exchanger 121 may behigher than the pressure at the steam tank 502. In such a manner, whenthe radiation level is high, steam or hot fluid originated from theexternal heat exchanger 121 enters the common steam tank or mixing valve502 before fluid from the steam generating system 399. This indicates aboiler control 506 to reduce consumption of fuel, gas or electricity forgenerating steam. The controller 206 monitors temperatures and pressuresin the heat cycles which are connected from both sides of the externalheat exchanger 121, for example using the sensors 207, 302 which aredescribed above. It controls the flow of heat transfer fluid and feedwater so as to achieve steam at the required quality. The controller 206may be connected to the control of the boiler 506 so as to regulate itssteam supply. Fluid may be conducted via the external heat exchanger 121by a main pump 507 with a control valve 508, as shown in FIG. 7 or by aseparate pump (not shown) that is controlled by the controller 206. Itshould be noted that a modular energy collecting system which forms anopen loop heating conduit as described above with regard to FIG. 5 mayalso be used. In this embodiment, the fuel consumption of the steamgenerating system is reduced as the energy collecting module 400participates in the heating process.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a schematic illustration of anarray of energy collecting modules 100 of an energy collecting system500 that is set to power an absorption refrigerator 601, also known asan absorption chiller, in a cooling system, according to someembodiments of the present invention. The controller 206, the pump 202,the valve 208, the sensor(s) 207, the external heat exchanger 121, andenergy collecting modules 100 which heat up fluid passing via their heatexchangers are as depicted in FIG. 7 and/or FIGS. 1-3, however in FIG. 8the external heat exchanger 121 is connected to an absorption chiller601 having an output directed toward a mixing valve 606. The heatedtarget fluid from the external heat exchanger 121 is used in theabsorption chiller 601 to generate a cold fluid, such as chilled water.The cold fluid is delivered to a cooling system 602, such as a chilleror an air conditioner, via the mixing valve 606. Optionally, the coldfluid is mixed with cold fluid from a chiller 603. Heat from theabsorption chiller 601 is removed by a fan, a cooling tower, or thelike. It can also be removed by a heat exchanger and/or delivered toother applications as hot air or water. A similar modular energycollecting system 500 may be used by itself, without the chiller 603.Optionally, a gage 613 is used to gage the temperature of outlet waterand to help the controller 206 to control the system. Optionally, energycollecting system 500 can operate without heat exchanger 121 such thatthe target fluid in the array of modules 100 is streamed directly to theabsorption chiller.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a schematic illustration of anarray of energy collecting modules of an energy collecting system 600that is set as a preheating device to provide the energy needed topreheat target fluid that is used by a fluid heating and/or steamingunit 701, such as a heater or a steam generator, according to someembodiments of the present invention. The controller 206, the pump 202,the valve 208, the sensor(s) 207, the external heat exchanger 121, andenergy collecting modules 100 which heat up fluid passing via their heatexchangers are as depicted in FIG. 7, however in FIG. 9, the externalheat exchanger 121 is connected to the fluid or steam heating unit 701.The heat is transferred in the external heat exchanger 121 to preheatfluid that is later further heated by the fluid heating unit 701. Thisway, the solar energy reduces the amount of fuel and/or electricity thatis consumed by the fluid heating unit 701. Optionally, energy collectingsystem 600 can operate without heat exchanger 121 such that the targetfluid in the array of modules 100 is streamed directly to the heatingunit 701.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 which is a schematic illustration of amodular energy collecting system 700 that is set as a heating source forheating a working fluid of a turbine 702 that is optionally connected toan electricity generation device 703, according to some embodiments ofthe present invention. The controller 206, the pump 202, the valve 208,the sensor(s) 207, the external heat exchanger 121, and energycollecting modules 100 which heat up fluid passing via their heatexchangers are as depicted in FIG. 7 and/or FIGS. 1-3, however in FIG.9, the external heat exchanger 121 is connected to heat the workingfluid which is steamed to actuate the turbine 702. This way, the solarenergy is used to produce electricity. The turbine 702 actuating steamis later optionally condensed using a condenser 704 and pumped towardthe external heat exchanger 121. Optionally, the controller 206 receivesfeedbacks from the generator 703 to identify whether more heat isneeded. Energy collecting system 700 can be operated in conjunction witha separate heating or steaming system as in FIG. 7. Optionally, energycollecting system 700 can operate without heat exchanger 121 such thatthe target fluid in the array of modules 100 is streamed directly to theturbine.

Reference is now also made to FIG. 11, which is a flowchart of a method900 for installing an energy collecting modular system by connecting theheat exchangers of a plurality of energy collecting modules, such asdepicted in FIG. 1 or 2, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

First, as shown at 901, an energy collecting area is defined. Then, asshown at 902, according to the length and/or width of the energycollecting area, and according to the dimensions of the energycollecting modules, a number of seperable energy collecting modules,each such as described above, are provided. Now, as shown at 903, theseperable energy collecting modules are spread to cover the energycollecting area or at least a portion thereof. Optionally, the providedand spread energy collecting modules are adapted to the topography ofthe energy collecting area and/or to their relative location in theenergy collecting area. The more energy collecting modules are spread ina given energy collecting area, the more productive the given energycollecting area may be. This allows, as shown at 904, to assemble aheating conduit in the energy collecting area (lengthwise and/orwidthwise) by tubularly connecting one or more of the connectableopenings of the heat exchangers of each energy collecting module to aconnectable opening of another heat exchanger of another energycollecting module, for example as described above and exemplified inFIG. 3.

Now, as shown at 905, one or more pumps are connected to the heatingconduit, for example to one end thereof, so as to stream fluidstherethrough toward an energy consumption unit or to recycle the fluidvia the heating conduit and a heat exchanger, as described in 906, forexample as described above and depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from thisapplication many relevant systems and methods will be developed and thescope of the term a turbine, a generator, a heat exchanger and acontroller is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having”and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”. This termencompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.

The phrase “consisting essentially of” means that the composition ormethod may include additional ingredients and/or steps, but only if theadditional ingredients and/or steps do not materially alter the basicand novel characteristics of the claimed composition or method.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example,the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a pluralityof compounds, including mixtures thereof.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherembodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from otherembodiments.

The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in someembodiments and not provided in other embodiments”. Any particularembodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional”features unless such features conflict.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention maybe presented in a range format. It should be understood that thedescription in range format is merely for convenience and brevity andshould not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be consideredto have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well asindividual numerical values within that range. For example, descriptionof a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specificallydisclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numberswithin that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This appliesregardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to includeany cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range.The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and asecond indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number“to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and aremeant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all thefractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other describedembodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the contextof various embodiments are not to be considered essential features ofthose embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without thoseelements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modificationsand variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated in their entirety by referenceinto the specification, to the same extent as if each individualpublication, patent or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. Inaddition, citation or identification of any reference in thisapplication shall not be construed as an admission that such referenceis available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent thatsection headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarilylimiting.

1. An energy collecting unit for assembling, together with a pluralityof similar energy collecting units, an energy collecting system ormodule comprising: a fluid channel having a lumen for conducting workingfluid from a first connectable opening to a second connectable opening;and an energy collecting element mounted in front of said fluid channelfor concentrating radiation onto said fluid channel.
 2. The energycollecting unit of claim 1, further comprising an air evacuated chamberhaving a low atmospheric pressure between said energy collecting elementand said fluid channel.
 3. The energy collecting unit of claim 2,wherein the walls of said air evacuated chamber are at least partlycovered with minors to concentrate said radiation onto said fluidchannel.
 4. The energy collecting unit of claim 1, further comprising achamber having a gas with low heat transfer properties between saidenergy collecting element and said fluid channel.
 5. The energycollecting unit of claim 4, wherein the walls of said chamber are atleast partly covered with mirrors to concentrate said radiation ontosaid fluid channel.
 6. The energy collecting unit of claim 1, whereinsaid fluid channel is made of a substantially transparent material. 7.(canceled)
 8. The energy collecting unit of claim 1, wherein said energycollecting unit does not include moving parts.
 9. The energy collectingunit of claim 1, wherein said energy collecting element comprises amember from a group consisting of: a Fresnel lens, a lenticular array,and an array of lenses.
 10. An energy collecting module, comprising: aheat exchanger having first and second openings for streaming targetfluid; a fluid channel configured for circulating working fluid via saidheat exchanger; and at least one energy collecting element mounted infront of said fluid channel for concentrating radiation onto said fluidchannel during said circulating.
 11. The energy collecting module ofclaim 10, wherein said at least one energy collecting element comprisesa plurality of energy collecting elements; wherein said energycollecting module is comprised of a plurality of detachable units eachhaving a segment of said fluid channel and one of said energy collectingelements assembled to concentrate radiation onto said segment.
 12. Theenergy collecting module of claim 10, wherein said energy collectingmodule is configured for assembling, together with a plurality ofsimilar energy collecting module, a modular energy collecting system.13. The energy collecting module of claim 10, further comprising atleast one air evacuated chamber having a low atmospheric pressurebetween said at least one energy collecting element and said fluidchannel.
 14. The energy collecting module of claim 10, furthercomprising at least one chamber having a gas with low heat transferproperties between said at least one energy collecting element and saidfluid channel.
 15. The energy collecting module of claim 10, whereinsaid fluid channel is made of a substantially transparent material. 16.(canceled)
 17. The energy collecting module of claim 10, wherein saidenergy collecting module does not include moving parts.
 18. The energycollecting module of claim 10, further comprising a supporting structurefor supporting said fluid channel and said energy collecting element ina substantially cubical shape structure.
 19. The energy collectingmodule of claim 10, wherein said at least one energy collecting elementcomprises a member from a group consisting of: a Fresnel lens, alenticular array, and an array of lenses.
 20. The energy collectingmodule of claim 10, wherein said at least one energy collecting elementcomprises at least one lens and at least one minor mounted to directsaid radiation toward said at least one lens.
 21. A method forinstalling an energy collecting modular system, comprising: providing aplurality of separable energy collecting modules each having a fluidchannel having a lumen for conducting working fluid via a heat exchangerand an energy collecting element for concentrating radiation onto saidfluid channel; spreading said plurality of energy collecting modules tocover an energy collecting area; assembling a heating conduit in saidenergy collecting area by tubularly connecting the heat exchangers ofsaid plurality of energy collecting modules; and connecting a pump toone end of said heating conduit so as to stream fluids via said heatingconduit toward an energy consumption unit at another end of said heatingconduit.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising adjusting theoperation of said pump to the number of said plurality of energycollecting modules. 23-28. (canceled)
 29. An energy collecting modularsystem, comprising: a plurality of separable energy collecting moduleswhich are set to be connected physically to one another so as to form aheating conduit having an inlet and an outlet for conducting targetfluid, each said separable energy collecting module having at least oneenergy collecting element mounted to concentrate radiation onto asegment of said heating conduit; and a pump, which is connectedtubularly to said inlet for conducting said target fluid via saidoutlet.
 30. The system of claim 29, further comprising a controllerwhich controls said pump.
 31. The system of claim 29, wherein saidoutlet is connected to a reservoir; said radiation performs at least oneof the following actions: purifying said target fluid, causing achemical reaction to said target fluid, enhancing a biological processin said target fluid, and suppressing a biological process in saidtarget fluid. 32-35. (canceled)
 36. The energy collecting unit of claim6, wherein said transparent fluid channel contains at least one solidbody adapted to absorb solar radiation.
 37. The energy collecting moduleof claim 10, further comprising at least one pump that circulates saidworking fluid.
 38. The energy collecting module of claim 10, whereinsaid working fluid contains a plurality of particulates which enhanceabsorption of a solar radiation.
 39. The energy collecting module ofclaim 10, further comprising a sun tracker unit which tracks a motion ofthe sun and includes at least one actuator that tilts said at least oneenergy collecting element according to said motion.